Whenever NFL Training Camp comes around, most people look forward to seeing which team is on HBO’s Hard Knocks, which players will be followed as they try to make the team, and what the storylines are going to end up being.
The show’s director, Shannon Furman, was a guest on the Green Light with Chris Long podcast earlier this week. He provided some of those answers.
In order to determine which players the show ends up featuring, they do tend to look at a player’s social media to see how interesting they are, but that isn’t all that factors into deciding who gets how much airtime.
“We have the big meeting before we come to camp. We research everyone on the team. We stalk Instagrams. We figure out kind of what everyone is interested in off-the-field, their background on-the-field. We have guys who we’re targeting, but then a lot ends up being based on what happens in games. We do go into it with a good idea of who we want to feature and the games end up narrowing that down for us.”
It is not easy for the Hard Knocks production team to figure out how to condense all of the footage they get into one-hour episodes each week. In fact, it was tougher for them this year because there was a lot of time between training camp beginning and the Dallas Cowboys first preseason game, according to Furman.
“We usually say we shoot about 400 hours for every hour that is on TV,” Furman says. “Liev [Schreiber] narrates it at 9 AM EST, the day that the show airs. We usually say our deadline is Saturday night at 10 PM ET, unless it is national news, then we have to get it in. You are just in constant communication with the people at home, letting them know what is happening.”
Contrary to what some might think, there aren’t cameras and microphones in every room at training camp. Furman mentioned that they do have to decide which rooms to have cameras and mics in.
When it comes to cut day, Furman says even if it is good television, that doesn’t mean the Hard Knocks crew looks forward to it.
“A moment like that, we like to work with the players and the team on stuff like that. We hate it just as much as they do. We become friends with everyone on this show.”
This year, the Dallas Cowboys are the featured team on Hard Knocks for the third time. You can catch new episodes every Tuesday night at 10 PM ET on HBO.
Ricky Keeler is a reporter for BSM with a primary focus on sports media podcasts and national personalities. He is also an active podcaster with an interest in pursuing a career in sports media. You can find him on Twitter @Rickinator555 or reach him by email at RickJKeeler@gmail.com.
Max Media has found an interesting new revenue stream in Virginia Beach. ESPN Radio 94.1 has sold its naming rights. The station has rebranded as Priority Auto Sports Radio 94.1.
“This is an important partnership for us,” said Priority Automotive COO Matt Elmer. “At Priority Automotive we think sports ties everyone together, so this is a great opportunity for us to be a voice in the community and partner with the number one voice for sports in Hampton Roads, ESPN 94.1.”
The programming on the station does not change. Listeners in the 757 will still hear the nationally syndicated ESPN Radio lineup except for in afternoon drive when The Tim Donnelly Showis on the air.
“The partnership between ESPN 94.1 and Priority Automotive is a natural evolution for both companies,” President and Market Manager Keith Barton added. “From the many youth organizations to college teams, Priority Automotive Has been dedicated to sports in Hampton Roads for decades. Max Media is incredibly proud to be partnered with such a class organization.”
Priority Automotive owns 17 car dealerships across Virginia.
SiriusXM has announced its extensive plans for coverage of Super Bowl LVII and the events leading up to the big game.
A dedicated Super Bowl pop-up channel on SiriusXM Channel 104 will be just one of the avenues SiriusXM plans to cover the event. Amber Theoharis will conduct interviews with players, and personalities making their way through Radio Row throughout the week that will air on the pop-up channel.
Mad Dog Sports Radio will have a large presence on Radio Row, with shows hosted by Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, Adam Schein, Dusty Dvoracek, Danny Kanell, and Steve Torre all airing live on location in Arizona. Former NFL All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Marshall will be on hand to host I Am Athlete Tonight from the event, as well.
“With all eyes and ears focused on Phoenix for Super Bowl Week, SiriusXM will deliver fans around the country the unique mix of sports, music and entertainment programming that you can only find on SiriusXM,” said SiriusXM President and Chief Content Officer Scott Greenstein.
“With multiple game broadcasts, several channels in Phoenix covering the latest news and providing expert analysis on the teams, interviews with many of the celebrities in town for the game, and our exclusive concert with Luke Combs, our subscribers will have exceptional access throughout the biggest week on the NFL calendar.”
ESPNU Radio hosts Colt McCoy, Rick Neuheisel, and Max Starks will also be in Arizona on Radio Row, in addition to Dusty and Danny hosting their shows each day from Radio Row.
Fantasy football expert Jeff Mans and SportsGrid Radio host Scott Ferrall will also originate content from Radio Row.
SiriusXM will offer four different game broadcasts of Super Bowl LVII. The Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles home broadcasts will each air, as will the national Westwood One call. Additionally, a Spanish-language broadcast will also be provided. Listeners will also be able to hear the halftime show — performed by pop star Rihanna — on Sirius XM Hits 1, The Heat, and Super Bowl LVII Radio.
BetQL is headed to Radio Row. Audacy’s sports betting radio network will be in Arizona ahead of Super Bowl LVII.
Three shows will be at the BetMGM Sportsbook in Glendale. BetQL Daily and You Better You Bet will be live Monday through Friday. BetMGM Tonight will be live Monday through Thursday.
The network’s hosts will stay busy in the desert. BetQL is producing 52 hours of live audio and video content. Hosts are also scheduled to make 25 live appearances across other Audacy radio stations and digital channels.
